Separable fasteners



May 13, 1958 H. MORlN 2,834,084

SEPARABLE FASTENERS Filed Sept. 27. 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lIlIllll :p-Mum g mum INVENTOR LOUIS H. MORIN ATTOREEY May 13, 1958 H. MORINSEPARABLE} FASTENERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 27, 1951 INVENTORLOUlS H. MORIN ATTORNE Unite Staes This invention relates to separablefasteners comprising a pair of stringer tapes having scoops arrangedalong beaded edges of the tapes for coupling and uncoupling the sameand, including box and pin end couplings for complete separation of thestringers. More particularly, my invention deals with a scoop havingcoupling portions which are offset with respect to the mounting endportions, so that the coupling end portion of one scoop interlocks witha pair of scoops on the companion stringer in retaining the stringersagainst pull apart separation and, further, wherein each scoop has adouble interlock with a scoop of a companion stringer in retaining thescoops against lateral separation. Still more particularly, theinvention deals with a fastener of the character described, wherein asingle chain or stringer can be utilized to form the fastener and,further, wherein the fastener is of a double-action type, in thatsliders can be operated in both directions on the stringers in both thecoupling and uncoupling operations thereof.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from thefollowing description, when taken together with the accompanyingdrawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosedand, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable referencecharacters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. l is a detailed view of one end portion of a separable fastener,illustrating a box and pin coupling, with part of the constructionbroken away and in section.

Fig. 2 is a section substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing only a small section ofstringers and a few scoops disposed therein and illustrating amodification.

Fig. 4 is a view, similar to Fig. 3, showing another form ofconstruction.

Fig. 5 is a section substantially on the broken line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the box and pin coupling shown in Fig.1, with the parts detached and omitting the stringer tapes; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view, similar to Fig. 2, but showing only part ofthe construction.

In Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6 of the drawing, I have illustrated one adaptationof my invention, in which 10, 10 illustrate part of stringer tapes of aseparable fastener, the tapes having beaded edges 11, 11, to whichscoops 12, 12' are attached.

Fixed to the bead 11, at one end of the stringer, is a pin member 13 ofa box and pin coupling and fixed to the head 11' is the box part, ormember 14, of such coupling.

Each scoop 12, 12 is of the same construction. A single stringer can beutilized to form the separable fastener by simply looping the centralportion of the stringer and bringing the scoops 12' into meshingengagement with the scoops 12, the position of scoops 12' being thensimply inverted.

The scoops have mounting end portions 15, 15' and atentO coupling endportions 16, 16'; the coupling end portions have male coupling heads l7,17, which are offset with respect to the mounting end portions 15, 15'longitudinally with respect to the beaded edges ll, 11. The heads 17,17are defined by upper and lower surfaces, which are contracted in thedirection of the mounting end portions and are adapted to engagecorresponding surfaces of scoops of a companion stringer, as seen at 13,in establishing a locking engagement between opposed scoops to retainthe stringers against pull-apart separation. The head of one scoop, forexample, the head 17, engages the head 17 of scoops of the companionstringer, as clearly illustrated. Heads 17, 17 extend transverselyacross the entire width of the scoop, and as is evident, on each head isformed a pair of upper and lower, oppositely disposed, transverse ridgesor projections which extend the width of the scoop. inwardly of theheads are female coupling portions comprising recesses 18 and 18" (Fig.1).

Considering Fig. 2 of the drawing, it will appear that the heads 17, 17have, at one side thereof, outwardly projecting male coupling portions,or elements, 19, 15?, forming, on the opposed half of the head, recessesor female coupling portions 20, 20. Between the female coupling portions18', 1%" and the mounting end portions 15, 15', the scoops are providedon one side with male coupling portions, or elements, 21, 21, and, atopposite sides thereof, recesses or female coupling portions 22, 2'2. itwill, thus, be seen that, when the scoops are coupled together, the malecoupling portions or elements 19, 19 extend into the female couplingportions 22', 22, respectively, and engage the male couplings 21' and21, respectively, in retaining the scoops against transverse separation.The male and female coupling portions 21, 21'; 22, 22 are offset withrespect to the heads 17, 17 in a direction extending longitudinally ofthe tape bead. Recesses 18 and 18 receive approximately half of the headof an opposed scoop; however, it is apparent that these recesses mergeinto the larger, adjoining recesses 22, 22, respectively, so that ineach scoop the merged recesses extend transversely across the width ofthe scoop and serve to receive a transverse ridge or projection of ahead of an opposed scoop.

With the structure as described, it will be apparent that so far asconcerns an interlock against transverse separation, such interlock isformed by opposite pairs of scoops without assistance from adjoiningscoops on opposite sides of such interlocked pairs; as regards interlockagainst pull-apart separation, complete interlocking requires theassistance of scoops adjoining such interlocked pairs; and as regardsseparation longitudinally of the stringers, the interlocked pairs may ormay not require the assistance of adjoining scoops depending uponwhether a selected stringer is moved upwardly or downwardly.

It will be apparent, from a consideration of Fig. l of the drawing, thatupper and lower surfaces of the male coupling portions 19, 19 arecontracted in a direction outwardly of the scoop, as illustrated, forexample, at 23 and the walls of the female socket portions 22, 22 areangular, or correspondingly shaped, as seen at 24 to freely receive theportions 19, 19'. This construction facilitates bending of the fastener,rendering the same flexible and also facilitating the couplingengagement between the scoops.

It will also be noted that the wall 25 of the coupling end portion ofeach scoop, where it joins the mounting end portion, is angularlydisposed relatively to the mounting end portion.

The box and pin construction 13 and 14, or part thereof, is shown insection in Fig. 5 .and these box and pin members are shown inperspective in Fig. 6. It will appear that the inner end of the pin 13has an offset male ass-4,084

coupling portion 26, at one side of which is a recess, or

female coupling portion 27, the latter being adapted to receive the malecoupling 19 of the uppermost scoop, as seen in Fig. l of the drawing;whereas, the male coupling portion 26 engages the recess or femalecoupling portion 20'.

in like manner, the reduced inner end 28 of the box part 14 has, at oneside thereof, a male coupling portion 29 and, at the opposite side, arecess or female coupling portion 30, the latter receiving the malecoupling portion 21 of the uppermost scoop of Fig. 1; whereas, the malecoupling portion 29 enters the female coupling portion 22' of suchscoop. This establishes a definite coupling engagement of the end scoopwith the pin and box parts 13 and 14. It will also appear that theextension 28 of the box part 14 has a bevelled portion 31 to engage thehead 17' of the uppermost scoop. The extension 28 has an elongatedrecess 32 on its inner surface for reception of a projecting key bar 33on the pin 13 in retaining these parts against transverse separation.The box part 14 has a conventional socket or recess 34 for reception ofthe pin member 13.

in Fig. 3 of the draw, 1 have shown a slight modification of theconstruction shown in Fig. 1, wherein scoops 35, 35' are mounted ontapes 3:), 36. The scoops 35, 3.5 have coupling heads 37, 37',substantially the same as the heads 17, 17 and, instead of employingmore or less square shouldered male coupling members, as at 21, 21,coupling members 38, 33 are employed, which have rounded outer ends 39,39'. This construction will facilitate greater flexibility in bending ofthe stringer and,

further, ease coupling engagement of the scoops in operation of a slideralong the stringers. As the structure of the scoops 35, 35' is otherwisesubstantially the same as the scoops 12, 12, no further detaileddescription is deemed to be necessary.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing, I have shown what I term a left and-right handcoupling engagement between scoops of opposed stringers, rather than theone-way engagement, as disclosed in the other figures. In this figure,40, 40' represents tapes of a separable fastener, on the beaded edges41, 41 of which are attached what I designate as right handscoops 42, 42and left hand scoops 43, 43. In other words, in die casting the scoopson the beaded edge of a stringer tape, they are formed in such manner asto provide, first one right hand scoop, then a left hand scoop, etc.along the stringer. As in the preceding modifications, a single stringercan be utilized to form the fastener by looping it at a central portion.Aside from the left and right hand arrangement of scoops, as shown inFig. 4, the structure of these scoops is the same as that shown in Figs.1 and 2, the scoop 42, having a head 44, the same as the head 17, a maleprojecting member 45, similar to the member 19, a socket or femalecoupling portion 56, similar to the socket 22, and male coupling portion47, similar to the male coupling portion 21.

Reversed with respect to the scoop =52, the scoop 43 has a head 48, amale coupling portion 49, similar to the coupling portion 45, a socketor female coupling portion 50, similar to the socket 46, and a malecoupling '51, similar to the coupling 47. The coupling engagementbetween the scoops, as shown in Fig. 4, is substantially the same asthat shown in Fig. l, greater flexibility being provided by virtue ofthe alternate left and right arrangement of the scoops on the stringers.

In Fig. 7 of 'the drawing, 1 have shown an enlarged detail couplingengagement between a. pair of opposed scoops, primarily to illustrate anarrangement of the walls orsurfaces 52, 52' of the male couplingelements 19,19 and the walls or surfaces 53, 53' ofthe male couplingportions 21, 21'. It will clearly appear from the showing of Fig. 7that, when the scoops 15, 15' are coupled together and, in 'theoperation of engaging the scoops, th'e' s'u rfac e 52'is spaced ordiverges from the surface 53,

and the surface 52 is spaced, or diverges, from the surface 53. Theseangularly disposed surfaces insure positive meshing or couplingengagement of the scoops. This results is accomplished by moulding thescoops on center lines 54, 54', indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig.7, so that the respective surfaces 52, 53, 52, 53 will be disposed onthe parting line of the dies, or, in other words, in the central,longitudinal planes passing through each scoop at lines 54 and 54. As isapparent, these lines or planes divide the scoops into two dissimilar,longitudinal side portions or halves. The illustration in Fig. 7 issomewhat exaggerated for sake of clarity.

By virtue of the construction of the scoop, in other words, a scoopwhich is coreless and without undercuts, it is possible to effect agreater saving in its production costs from the standpoint of productionof dies. By reason of the shape and contour of the scoops employed, itis practical to cast them by means of dies produced by the technique ofpowdered metallurgy because the high pressures required to form suchdies can be employed to form cavities for the scoops of the kind underconsideration. Dies produced from powdered metal and then sintered andthen finished are extremely economical, as compared with other methodsof die production. Where numerous dies are employed, die cost is a veryimportant factor.

For purposes of description, the mounting portion of the scoop may besaid to have a forward end, which projects beyond the tape edge and saidforward end consists of a male section 21 on one side and a femalesection 22 at the opposite side. Further, the coupling portion of thescoop, beyond the said forward end, has at one side a projection 19 and,at the opposite side, a recess 20. The said'coupling portion may also besaid to incorporate upper and lower projecting portions, whichconstitute the head 17; and inwardly thereof are upper and lowersurfaces which converge toward the tape edge.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A separable fastener consisting of a pair of stringer tapes carryingscoops, each scoop having a mounting portion with a forward endprojecting beyond the tape edge, a coupling portion projecting beyondsaid forward end of the mounting portion, said forward end consisting ofa male section on one side of the scoop and a female section on theopposite side of the scoop, the coupling portion consisting at itsforward-end of a recess on said one side of the scoop and, on the saidopposite side of the scoop, of a projection, the said male section andprojection adapted, respectively, to enter the recess and female sectionof a. single scoop on the opposite tape and to overlap, respectively,the projection and male section of such single scoop, therebyinterlocking each scoop with a single opposite scoop against transverseseparation; the scoops of each pair-of said opposed interlocked scoopsbeing in suflicient transverse alinement as to provide 'alined, opposedportions of stringer tape between next adjacent pairs of opposedinterlocked scoops, thereby providing increased flexibility to saidfastener; each coupling portion also incorporating upper and lowerprojecting portions, and, inwardly thereof, upper and lower surfacesconverging toward the tape edge, the said upper and lower projectingportions and surfaces adapted to overlie, respectively, thecorresponding surfaces and upper and lower projecting portions of twoscoops on the opposite tape, thereby interlocking the scoops of one tapewith two scoops of the opposite tape against longitudinal and pull-apartseparation.

. 2. Aseparable fastener of the kind set forth in claim 1 in which-thesaid female section comprises a recess opening away from the tape anddownwardly on'all of the scoops on one of the tapes and opening awayfrom the tape and upwardly on all of the scoops of the other tape. 3.Ion separable fastenercomprisingapair-of stringers assaosa each scoop ofwhichhas a coupling end portion extending outwardly of the stringeredge, a pin end coupling on one stringer and a box end coupling on theother stringer for detachably receiving said pin to couple saidstringers, an extension on said box extending toward the end scoop onthe same stringer therewith, and interengaging means on said extensionand pin for preventing relative transverse movement therebetween, theimprovement wherein said end scoop has a transverse recess in thecoupling end portion, an alternately arranged inner projection and innerrecess both disposed inwardly of said transverse recess, an alternatelyarranged outer projection and outer recess both disposed outwardly ofsaid transverse recess, said extension having a projecting portionextending into the transverse recess of said end scoop, said projectingportion having an alternately arranged projection and recess engageable,respectively, With the inner recess and inner projection of said scoopto prevent relative transverse movement in one direction between saidscoop and said box, and said pin having an alternately arrangedprojection and recess engageable, respectively, with the outer recessand outer projection of said end scoop to prevent relative transversemovement between said scoop and said pin in a direction opposite saidone direction.

4. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers, a pin endcoupling on one stringer and a box end coupling on the other stringerfor detachably receiving said pin, an extension on said oox extendingtoward an end scoop on the same stringer therewith, the improvementwherein said end scoop has a transverse recess, an inner projection andinner recess both disposed inwardly of said transverse recess, an outerprojection and outer recess both disposed outwardly of said transverserecess, said extension having a projecting portion extending into thetransverse recess of said end scoop, said projecting portion having aprojection and recess engageable, respectively, with the inner recessand inner projection of said scoop to prevent relative transversemovement in one direction between said scoop and said box, and said pinhaving a projection and recess engageable, respectively, with the outerrecess and outer projection of said end scoop to prevent relativetransverse movement between said scoop and said pin in a directionopposite said one direction.

5. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers each scoop ofwhich is bounded by opposed lateral surfaces extending substantiallyparallel to the stringer on which said scoop is mounted, each scoophaving a mounting end portion on the stringer and a coupling end portionextending from the stringer edge, the coupling end portion of one scoopbeing engageable by the coupling end portion of a pair of adjacentopposed scoops to provide an interlock against pull-apart separation ofthe stringers, the improvement wherein the coupling end portion of eachscoop has top and bottom surfaces which are spaced in a directionextending longitudinally of the stringer from top and bottom surfaces,respectively, of the mounting end portion, said coupling end portionbeing joined to the mounting end portion through a wall extendingangularly of the mounting end portion, said coupling end portion thusbeing offset relatively to the mounting end portion in a directionextending longitudinally of the stringer, the coupling end portions ofone stringer being offset in a direction opposite that of the couplingend portions of the other stringer; each scoop being divided into twolongitudinal side portions by a plane passing centrally andlongitudinally through the scoop and extending longitudinally of thestringer, each side portion having a projection and recess spacedlongitudinaily of the scoop, each said projection and recess beingdefined in part by a wall lying in said plane, and said projections andrecesses of each scoop of one stringer being engageable with therecesses and projections of a single opposed scoop of the other stringerto provide an interlock against transverse separation of the stringers.

6. The separable fastener of claim 5 in which said plane extendsangularly relatively to said opposed lateral surfaces of each scoop andalso extendsangularly relatively to the plane of an opposed scoop.

7. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringer tapes havingscoops mounted thereon to form stringers, each scoop of which is boundedby opposed lateral surfaces extending substantially parallel to thestringer on which said scoop is mounted, each scoop having a mountingend portion on the stringer and a coupling end portion extending fromthe stringer edge, the coupling end portion of one scoop beingengageable by the coupling end portion of a pair of adjacent opposedscoops to provide an interlock against pull-apart separation of thestringers, the improvement wherein the coupling end portion of eachscoop has top and bottom surfaces which are spaced in a directionextending longitudinally of the stringer from top and bottom surfaces,respectively, of the mounting end portion, said coupling end portionbeing joined to the mounting end portion through a wall extendingangularly of the mounting end portion, said coupling end'portion thusbeing offset relatively to the mounting end portion in a directionextending longitudinaily of the stringer, the coupling end portions ofone stringer being ofi'set in a direction opposite that of the couplingend portions of the other stringer; each scoop comprising twolongitudinal side portions, each side portion having a projection andrecess spaced longitudinally of the scoop, and said projections andrecesses of each scoop of one stringer being engageable with therecesses and projections of a single opposed scoop of the other stringerto provide an interlock against transverse separation of the stringers.

8. The separable fastener of claim 7 in which the scoops of each pair ofopposed coupled scoops are in sufficient transverse alinement as toprovide alined, opposed portions of stringer tape between next adjacentpairs of coupled scoops, thereby providing said fastener with increasedflexibility.

9. The separable fastener of claim 7 in which said projections andrecesses of a scoop of one stringer are oppositely disposed relativelyto those of a next adjacent scoop on the same stringer.

10. The separable fastener of claim 7 in which said projections andrecesses of a scoop of one stringer have the same disposition relativelyto those of a next adjacent scoop on the same stringer.

11. The separable fastener of claim 7 in which one of said recesses ofeach scoop extends through the entire depth of the coupling end portionof the scoop.

12. The separable fastener of claim 7 in which said recesses of eachscoop are longitudinally spaced relatively to the scoop.

13. The separable fastener of claim 12 in which said recesses of eachscoop have lateral openings that are oppositely disposed.

14. In a separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers each scoop ofwhich is bounded in part by opposed lateral surfaces extendingsubstantially parallel to the stringer on which said scoop is mounted,said scoops having means thereon for providing an interlock againstpull-apart separation of the stringers, the improvement wherein eachscoop is divided into two longitudinal side portions by a plane passingcentrally and longitudinally through the scoop and extendinglongitudinally of the stringer, said plane being angularly disposed withrespect to said opposed lateral surfaces of the scoop and also withrespect to said plane of an opposed scoop, each side portion having alateral engaging surface which lies in said plane, said engagingsurfaces of each scoop of one stringer being engageable with those of anopposed scoop of the other stringer to provide an interlock againsttransverse separation of the stringers, said engaging surfaces of eachscoop of one stringer extending angularly relatively to those of anopposed scoop, thereby to pro- 7 wide a more positive joining engagementbetween the scoops of said stringers.

1'5. The separable fastener of claim 14 in which said lateral engagingsurfaces on each scoop are spaced longitudinally of the scoop.

16. The separable fastener of claim, 14 in which said lateral engagingsurfaces of each scoop are 'engageable \with those of a single opposedscoop.

17. A scoop construction for separable fasteners employing stringers,each stringer having a plurality of scoops spaced longitudinally of oneedge thereof, each scoop comprising a mounting end portion and acoupling end portion, the coupling end portion having a male couplinghead joined to the mounting end portion through a wall extendingangularly of the mounting end portion sothat said head is offset withrespect to the mounting "end portion, each scoop having inwardly of thehead a female coupling portion for reception of the coupling head of ascoop of a companion stringer, thereby to provide an interlock againstpull-apart separation of the stringers, the scoop inwardly of saidfemale coupling portion having a male coupling element at one side and arecess at the opposite side, the head of the scoop having "8 at one sidethereof an outwardly projecting male coupling element and at theotherside thereof arecess, said male coupling element and said recess of saidhead extending along the entire depth of the coupling end portion, andsaid 'inale coupling element of the head of onescoop being adapted toengage the first named male coupling element of a single scoop of acompanion stringer to provide an interlock against transverse separationof the stringers.

References Cited in'the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,803,106 Freysinger Apr. 28, 1931 2,361,782 -Low Oct. 31, 19442,394,211 Silt Feb. 5, 1946 2,460,525 Morin Feb. 1, 1949 2,502,885 PouxApr. 4, 1950 2,526,600 :Bolten Oct. 17, 1950 2,563,767 Winterhalter Aug.7, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 41,016 France 1932 583,780 Germany 1933

